How Long Does a Cold Last?

After writing, how to get rid of a cough?, we are now writing how long does a cold last. Cold is a very common infection that everyone of you faces at any time of the year. But it mostly occurs during the winter season. It is basically a viral infection that happens in the upper respiratory system of the body. But it affects your nose. In the recent research, it has been noticed that an adult suffers cold for three to four times in a year. While a child may suffer from seven to eight times in a year. Thereby, by reading it further you will get to know the causes and symptoms of a cold. In addition to this below are some suggestions that you can take up as home remedies for cold.

Causes of Cold :

Virus as Common Cause of Cold:

As, it is mentioned above that cold is caused due to a viral infection. But that viral infection is of three different types that is responsible for cold.

It means the most commonly known virus is called rhinovirus. 10 to 40 percent chances are due to rhinovirus.

While the picornavirus is responsible for 20 percent of chances to catch a cold infection.

It means cold is also caused by coming in contact with an already infected person.

If anyone is already infected with cold and you shake hands with that person who might have not cleaned his hands after sneezing. You can catch a cold by coming in hand to hand contact.

The most common items that you get infected by coming in contact are pen, coffee mugs, phone, computer/laptop keyboard, etc.

Also, there are chances of getting cold when your immune system is working weakly. Else, if your immune system is healthy, you will not catch a cold.

Weather as Cause of Cold:

To some extent weather conditions are also responsible for cold. When you are exposed to harsh cold weather, you might catch a cold. This is one theory that holds the stereotype as the main reason to suffer from cold. This is according to the old folks who believe weather is responsible for your cold. Well, it is counted among one of the reasons. Some people are mostly prone to the season of winter to catch cold. Even if they will be fit and fine throughout the year, but when the winter approaches they catch a cold. This happens in a few of the cases.

When you suffer from these kinds of symptoms for more than 3 days, you might have caught a cold. And in severe cases you might have a high fever also. Now, while reading this, you might think how long does a cold last.

How Long Does a Cold Last?

Well, it mostly depends on your immune system how fast you can recover. But in general conditions, a cold last for 3 to 4 days. Some of you might get recovered a week later also. And if you happen to suffer from severe cold it might last till 10 days.

1.) Cold that last for 3 to 4 Days

When you suffer from common cold, you are likely to suffer from 3 to 4 days. It mostly depends on your immune system to recover to its normal condition. On first day, there will be less effect on health. As, the symptoms will appear after the third day, you will feel nauseous, have a sore throat and body ache. Same are the symptoms if you are suffering from flu also. But it might decrease depending on the medications and intake of food. You will recover soon.

2.) Cold that Last for a Week

A cold last for a week when you are infected with the virus(rhinovirus). You will take a week to recover when you are hit with the rhinovirus. During the first 3 days you will have a sore throat, fatigue, loss of appetite, body ache if your cold is accompanied with a flu. The next few days will have minor symptoms like running nose, muscle ache, etc which is not harmful. You will require to be on a balanced healthy diet to recover. As, suffering for a week with cold will make you weak. And, your immune system will also need nutrients to recover back to normal state.

3.) Cold that Last More than a Week

When you notice that you are suffering from cold for more than a week, immediately consult your doctor. There might some other reasons also that has led to the symptoms of cold to last longer than usual.

Home Remedies to Cure a Cold:

1.) Hydrate your Body to Recover from Cold

When you are suffering from cold, your needs more fluid. Because due to cold you might even suffer from dehydration with less intake of fluid. The intake of fluid helps to break off the blockage in your system. In normal days you are supposed to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water. But when you are infected with cold try to add more water intake than the normal times. Along with consume juice, fruits and vegetables that have watery content in it.

2.) Consume Garlic to Heal your Cold

Garlic is one substance that contains anti-bacterial agent. The consumption of garlic will easily help you to get rid of your cold quickly. For that you will need to crush 1 garlic clove. And, add the crushed garlic in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of chili powder. Mix these ingredients and drink it once a day.

3.) Spiced Up Tea will Cure your Sore Throat

If your cold last for a long, try this remedy. You might be consuming green tea or black tea when you are suffering from cold. But try to make that tea of yours little spiced up. It means you will need to add few more ingredients in your tea. For that you will need 5 to 6 pieces of basil leaves, grated ginger, black pepper and sugar. When you prepare your tea, add these components and make it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. After which consume this spiced up tea in the early morning to have a fresh start of the day. And you can also take it before going to bed to have a sound sleep.

4.) Chicken Soup to Treat Cold

When you fall sick, you end up losing your energy and strength. For that to regain your health you need food supplements also in your body. So, try to consume chicken soup to get rid of cold naturally. Chicken soup will provide you with all the essential vitamins and nutrients. While preparing the soup, add some fresh vegetables and black pepper to cure your sore throat. Take this chicken soup before lunch and dinner.

5.) Steam for Cold Treatment

You will get relief from your stuffy nose by taking a steam. You can have it in two options. That is, you can try a steamer or a pot of hot water. In any of it add 1 or 2 menthol pills to make it more effective for your nose to get unblocked.

If your cold last for more than 10 days, it might be a severe case. Try to consult a doctor immediately.